CARVIN HD1500 Operating Manual Download Page 2

 FRONT PANEL

1.  POWER SWITCH

  Check the power amp AC making sure the rear plug is fully inserted before engaging the power switch.

The blue POwER LED indicates that all circuits are properly powered up. 

2.  FRONT PANEL BRIDGE LED INDICATOR

  For fast front pannel indication of bridge mode or not.  when the yellow LED is lit the amplifier is in 

bridge mode.  See 11 (rear panel) for more about bridge mode.

3.  PROTECT RED  LED INDICATOR 

  The RED PROTECT LED provides the operator with information about the status of the amplifier.  The 

PROTECT LED can come on under 3 different conditions (when this happens, both channels are muted 

and the amplifier shut down to protect the speakers);

1)  During power-up, the amplifier stays in a muted state for approx. 3 sec until it determines that 

everything is functioning normally (no output shorts or over temp conditions).

2)  The RED PROTECT LED will illuminate when the output load draws excessive current or a direct 

short is detected caused by a shorted speaker cable or speaker system.  when the short is 

removed the amplifier will resume operation. Check for shorted cables and that the total speaker 

impedance is not below 2 ohms per channel - 4 ohms bridged.

3)  Overheating is usually determined when the amp stops in the middle of a performance and the RED 

PROTECT LED comes on.  if this is the cause, leave the amp on for the fan to cool the amp down.  

The amp will  automatically reset within 3 minutes.  The PROTECT LED  will turn off when ready.  

Check for the following conditions;  a) The rear intake air is not restricted, b) The intake air is not 

extremely warm, c) The front exhaust vents are not restricted, or d) No excessive speaker load 

(try other speakers or remove speakers if you have more than one connected to each channel).

Power supply protections are not indicated by the protection LED, but by the power turning off com-

pletely.  if the protected state is a thermal power supply issue or an over current power supply issue, 

the power supply with reset it self and go through the same turn on cycle as when first turned on.

4.  CHANNEL LEVEL CONTROL

  A precision input LEVEL attenuator is used to adjust the volume levels.  To deliver the amps maximum 

power without reducing the headroom of the signal source, the level controls should be turned full on. 

For multi-speaker systems, the volume levels can be used to match loudspeakers with different output 

sensitivity levels and room locations.

5.  CHANNEL SIGNAL INDICATOR, 40% & 80% OUTPUT

 You have a 3 meter segment per channel to indicate levels. The green SigNAL LED indicator will start 

to flash when there is a low input signal (-30dBµ). The 40% and 80% LED’s will light solid when output 

power has reached 40% and 80% levelsof full power.

6.  CHANNEL CLIP INDICATOR

The RED CLiP LED indicators flash when each channel has reached its maximum output. Occasional 

flashing caused by low frequency peaks are difficult to prevent and will not harm speakers capable to 

handle the amplifiers output. However, consistent flashing (excessive clipping/square wave) will damage 

speakers if not reduced. This does not cause damage to the amp.

7.  COOLING VENTS/FAN

Upon rack installation, the rear of the amp must be fully exposed to room temperature air. The surround-

ing air should not be warmer than 120° with full loading and heavy usage, or the thermal protection 

could active early. The front cooling vents are not to be restricted. Air flows from back to front. The use 

of external fans need to flow the same direction or the amplifier will starve for air and may thermal off.

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WARNING

This  product  produces  high 

sound pressure levels that could 

damage  your  hearing.  Use  with 

caution.

FRONT & REAR PANEL CONTROLS

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REAR PANEL

8.  CHANNEL INPUTS

  The XLR balanced inputs will help reduce signal interference and allow longer cable runs from your 

signal source (mixer, etc).  Because this is a balanced input, the gain will be 6 dB higher than using an 

unbalanced 1/4” cable on the 1/4” TRS input jacks.  XLR pin configuration: Pin 1: ground, Pin 2: positive 

balanced signal, Pin 3: negative balanced signal.  
  The 1/4” TRS jacks are balanced and designed to receive unbalanced input signals.  Balanced signals 

coming into these jacks should be wired with the connector’s tip going to  and the connector’s 

ring to signal -.  The connector’s sleeve is tied internally to ground.

9.  PARALLEL “Y” INPUTS

  The rear PARALLEL switch connects both channels together from either input.  This eliminates Y adapter 

cables.  This feature is used to “daisy chain” one piece of equipment to another.  Just plug into the unused 

iNPUT (TRS or XLR) and it will become the output for other equipment.

10.  100Hz LOW PASS FILTER SWITCHES

  Each channel has a third order (18DB/oct)100Hz Low pass filter subwoofer crossover.  This makes it 

easy to add subwoofers to your system.  in Bridge mode the channel one low pass filter can still be used 

for full amplfiier power into a single bridged sub.

11.  BRIDGE MODE

with your amplifier off, push “in” the rear (recessed) BRiDgE switch then make your connections to the 

RED binding posts (ch 1 is + and ch 2 is-).  in bridged mode, the amplifier channels are out-of-phase 

from each other.  Accidental pressing of the switch will not cause damage, but the outputs will be out of 

phase and channel 2 input will take in signal. WARNING: No other speaker connectors or binding posts 
may be used at the same time!
 Use channel 1 iNPUT and LEVEL for bridge mode. Channel 2 is not used, 

except for parallel to another amplifier (see 9 PARALLEL). The minimum speaker impedance is 4 ohm. 
CAUTIoN: The power developed by bridging your amp can destroy most speakers.

12.  SPEAKER 1/4” AND SPEAKON™ COMBO OUTPUTS

  The speaker connectors feature a combination of both 1/4” SPEAKER jacks for low power applications 

and Speakon™ connectors for high power application.  Secure the Speakon™ connection by turning to 

the right to the lock position. Turn the amp off before connecting your speakers.  

13.  SPEAKER BINDING POSTS 

For wire (banana connectors), use the rear BiNDiNg POSTS to connect your speakers. wire sizes up to 7 

gauge (50 amps) can be inserted into the binding post “side holes”. Larger cable can be used with “banana” 

plugs which plug into the end of the binding posts. Binding posts are spaced on iSO standards. 

For BRiDgE speaker connections (see 11 BRiDgE MODE).

14.  AC POWER

  Your amp is designed to auto switch to either 120V 60 Hz or 240V 50Hz. The volt-

age range for 120V is 95V to 132V and for 240V is 195V to 255V. The rear heavy-duty AC receptacle 

will accept a universal grounded AC cord. Be sure to check your power source before plugging into a 

grounded (3 prong) outlet. Firmly push the AC cord all the way into the receptacle or the amp will not 

function. WARNING: Never defeat the grounded connection or electrocution may result!  FUSE: The 

fuse is located within the main chassis near the AC connector on the PC card. Normaly if the fuse fails, 

the amp will require service. See specifications chart for fuse values. NoTe: each amp will require a 
dedicated circuit breaker for the amp to achieve its full output.

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Summary of Contents for HD1500

Page 1: ...t Subwoofer setups CONSTRUCTION The HD construction starts with a heavy 2RU aluminum chassis All printed circuit cards are double sided FR4 military grade fire retardant with plated through holes soldered under on top and through each component SMT surface mount technology offers shock proof protection The CB and CE safety seal assure that each HD meets strict standards for service anywhere in the...

Page 2: ...t The use of external fans need to flow the same direction or the amplifier will starve for air and may thermal off 2 1 4 5 6 7 WARNING This product produces high sound pressure levels that could damage your hearing Use with caution front rear panel controls 3 4 REAR panel 8 CHANNEL INPUTS The XLR balanced inputs will help reduce signal interference and allow longer cable runs from your signal sou...

Page 3: ...tch must be OFF OUT 4 pin Speakon 2 pin 2 pin Right Full Range For stereo the PARALLEL switch must be OFF OUT Left Mono Full Range Ch 1 Left Ch 2 Right BRIDGE switch must be OFF OUT 8 OHM 300W CH 900W BRIDGE 4 OHM 450W CH 1500W BRIDGE 2 OHM MIN 750W CH 120 240VAC 50 60Hz 1000VA BRIDGE OUTPUT SPEAKONS ACCEPT 1 4 INCH JACKS INPUT INPUT INPUT PARALLEL 100Hz BRIDGE 1 2 1 2 HD1500 PARALLEL switch OFF O...

Page 4: ... under war ranty Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer CARVIN DOES NOT PAY FOR PARTS OR SERVICING OTHER THAN OUR OWN A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL INVOICE IS REQUIRED TO VERIFY YOUR WARRANTY Carvin assumes no responsibility for horn drivers or speakers damaged by this unit This warranty does not cover and no liability is assumed for damage due to natural disasters accidents abuse loss of ...

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